U.S. patent application number 13/709557 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for composite cable and method of manufacturing composite cable.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is OLYMPUS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki MOTOHARA.
Application Number | 20130098657 13/709557 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45097916 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130098657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MOTOHARA; Hiroyuki |
April 25, 2013 |
COMPOSITE CABLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING COMPOSITE CABLE
Abstract
A composite cable that includes plural cables connectable to
respective connection portions arranged on a substrate, and an
outer coat that covers the cables, the composite cable including: a
position fixation portion, in which the cables are fixed in
positions so as to be parallel to one another in a longitudinal
direction of the cables; and a twist portion, in which the cables
extending from an end portion of the position fixation portion are
twisted together, wherein in the position fixation portion, an
arrangement pattern of the cables on a cross-section perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction of the cables is mirror symmetric to
an arrangement pattern of the connection portions.
Inventors: |
MOTOHARA; Hiroyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION; |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
45097916 |
Appl. No.: |
13/709557 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2011/061658 |
May 20, 2011 |
|
|
|
13709557 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/113R ;
140/111 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01B 11/02 20130101;
H01B 13/02 20130101; H01R 43/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/113.R ;
140/111 |
International
Class: |
H01B 11/02 20060101
H01B011/02; H01B 13/02 20060101 H01B013/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 11, 2010 |
JP |
JP 2010-134216 |
Claims
1. A composite cable that includes a plurality of cables
connectable to respective connection portions arranged on a
substrate, and an outer coat that covers the cables, the composite
cable comprising: a position fixation portion, in which the cables
are fixed in positions so as to be parallel to one another in a
longitudinal direction of the cables; and a twist portion, in which
the cables extending from an end portion of the position fixation
portion are twisted together, wherein in the position fixation
portion, an arrangement pattern of the cables on a cross-section
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cables is mirror
symmetric to an arrangement pattern of the connection portions.
2. The composite cable according to claim 1, wherein a length of
the position fixation portion is shorter than a length of the twist
portion.
3. The composite cable according to claim 1, wherein, in the
position fixation portion, relative positions of the cables are
fixed by a fixing member that fixes a gap between each of the
cables and the outer coat.
4. The composite cable according to claim 1, wherein the outer coat
includes an indicator portion indicating the position fixation
portion on at least a portion of a surface of the position fixation
portion.
5. The composite cable according to claim 1, wherein the composite
cable comprises a plurality of cable groups, each being formed of
some of the cables, and in the twist portion, the cables of each of
the cable groups are twisted together and the cable groups are also
twisted together.
6. A method of manufacturing a composite cable that includes a
plurality of cables connectable to respective connection portions
arranged on a substrate, and an outer coat that covers the cables,
the method comprising: a position fixing step including fixing an
arrangement pattern of the cables on a cross-section perpendicular
to a longitudinal direction of the cables so as to be mirror
symmetric to an arrangement pattern of the connection portions
while fixing the cables so as to be parallel to one another in a
longitudinal direction of the cables; and a twisting step including
twisting the cables extending from an end portion of the position
fixation portion together.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT international
application Ser. No. PCT/JP2011/061658 filed on May 20, 2011 which
designates the United States, incorporated herein by reference, and
which claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2010-134216, filed on Jun. 11, 2010, incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a composite cable capable
of collectively connecting a plurality of cables and to a method of
manufacturing the composite cable.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, to connect a plurality of electronic
devices, a composite cable formed of a plurality of cables bundled
together is generally used to connect connection portions of the
respective electronic devices to one another. For example, a
technology is disclosed in which a composite cable formed of a
twist portion with a predetermined length and a non-twist portion
with a predetermined length that are alternately arranged at a
predetermined pitch is used to improve the reliability against
noise of an electronic device (see, for example, Japanese Laid-open
Patent Publication No. 2-18813).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A composite cable according to an aspect of the present
invention formed of a plurality of cables connectable to respective
connection portions arranged on a substrate, and an outer coat that
covers the cables, includes: a position fixation portion, in which
the cables are fixed in positions so as to be parallel to one
another in a longitudinal direction of the cables; and a twist
portion, in which the cables extending from an end portion of the
position fixation portion are twisted together, wherein in the
position fixation portion, an arrangement pattern of the cables on
a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
cables is mirror symmetric to an arrangement pattern of the
connection portions.
[0007] A method according to another aspect of the present
invention of manufacturing a composite cable formed of a plurality
of cables connectable to respective connection portions arranged on
a substrate, and an outer coat that covers the cables, includes: a
position fixing step including fixing an arrangement pattern of the
cables on a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction
of the cables so as to be mirror symmetric to an arrangement
pattern of the connection portions while fixing the cables so as to
be parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction of the
cables; and a twisting step including twisting the cables extending
from an end portion of the position fixation portion together.
[0008] The above and other features, advantages and technical and
industrial significance of this invention will be better understood
by reading the following detailed description of presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a composite cable according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the composite
cable illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the
composite cable illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an
arrangement pattern of connection portions of a substrate
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section
of the composite cable illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating cable groups of
the composite cable according to the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cable group of
the composite cable according to the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cable group of
the composite cable according to the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of a process
in a method of manufacturing the composite cable according to the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of
manufacturing the composite cable according to the embodiment of
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of
manufacturing the composite cable according to the embodiment of
the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of
manufacturing the composite cable according to the embodiment of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of
manufacturing the composite cable according to the embodiment of
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composite
cable according to a first modification of the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composite
cable according to a second modification of the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composite
cable according to a third modification of the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composite
cable according to a fourth modification of the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composite
cable according to a fifth modification of the embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0027] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the composite cable
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The present invention is not limited by the embodiments
below. Each drawing referred to in the explanation below only
schematically illustrates shapes, sizes, and positional
relationships such that the content of the present invention can be
understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to only
the shapes, sizes, and positional relationships illustrated in the
drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a composite cable according
to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial
cross-sectional view of a region that forms a position fixation
portion 21, taken at a plane perpendicular to a direction in which
a composite cable 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 extends. The composite
cable 2 is a bundle of cable groups 3A to 3C each being made up of
a plurality of cables 3, and the bundled cable groups 3A to 3C are
fixed by an outer shield and an outer coat 20 that is made of resin
or the like and that covers the outer shield. In the fixation
state, polishing treatment is performed on a connection end face of
the composite cable 2 so that connection end faces of the
respective cables 3 including connection end portions can be formed
on the same plane. By bringing the connection end faces of the
cables 3 into contact with an arrangement pattern 10 of a plurality
of connection portions formed on a substrate 1, the composite cable
2 and the substrate 1 can be electrically connected. In the
embodiment, the composite cable 2 includes, for example, cable
groups of ten cables. In the composite cable 2, eight out of the
ten cables are used as signal input-output lines, one of the rest
cables is used as a power supply line, and the other one of the
rest cables is used as a GND line.
[0030] The composite cable 2 includes the position fixation portion
21, in which the cables 3 are fixed in positions so as to
correspond to respective connection portions of the arrangement
pattern 10 and so as to be parallel to one another in the
longitudinal directions of the cables 3; and a twist portion 22,
which extends from an end portion of the position fixation portion
21 and in which the cables 3 are twisted. Each of the cable groups
3A to 3C made up of a predetermined number of the cables 3 is
formed by taking into consideration the influence of
electromagnetic noise, such as the same clock frequency.
[0031] Each of the cables 3 is a coaxial cable with the same
diameter, in which a shield is formed on the outer periphery of a
core wire 31 via an inner insulator and an outer insulator 32 is
provided on the outer periphery of the shield.
[0032] When a cable end face S of the position fixation portion 21
is connected to the substrate 1 on which the arrangement pattern 10
is formed, the composite cable 2 described above enables an
electrical connection between the substrate 1 and the other end
portion of the composite cable 2. The composite cable 2 and the
substrate 1 are joined together via a solder or the like after an
image of the arrangement pattern on the cable end face S of the
composite cable 2 and an image of the arrangement pattern 10 of the
connection portions of the substrate 1 are recognized by using, for
example, a dual-view optical system. It may be possible to join the
composite cable 2 and the substrate 1 together by sandwiching an
anisotropic conductive resin material, such as an ACF, between the
composite cable 2 and the substrate 1 and performing
thermocompression bonding on the anisotropic conductive resin
material.
[0033] The arrangement pattern of the cables 3 of the composite
cable 2 and the arrangement pattern 10 of the substrate 1 will be
explained below with reference to schematic diagrams illustrated in
FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically
illustrating the composite cable 2 illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is
a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement
pattern 10 of the connection portions of the substrate 1. FIG. 5 is
a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section of a region
forming the twist portion 22, taken at a plane perpendicular to the
direction in which the composite cable 2 illustrated in FIG. 1
extends. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the cable
groups 3A to 3C of the composite cable 2. In the schematic diagrams
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, it is assumed that the vertical
direction of the composite cable 2 with respect to the
cross-section matches the vertical direction of the sheets of
drawings.
[0034] On a cable end face S1 of the position fixation portion 21
of the composite cable 2 illustrated in FIG. 3 (a cross-section
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the composite cable
2), cables 3a to 3j are fixed in positions so as to be mirror
symmetric to the arrangement pattern 10 (see FIG. 4) of connection
portions 10a to 10j to be connected to the cables 3a to 3j,
respectively. Besides, the cables 3a to 3d, 3e to 3g, and 3h to 3j
are grouped into the cable groups 3A to 3C, respectively, so that
the influence of electromagnetic noise can be prevented. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, the cable groups 3A to 3C are fixed in
positions and extended so as to be parallel to one another in the
longitudinal direction of the composite cable 2.
[0035] In this way, the arrangement pattern 10 of the connection
portions 10a to 10j on the substrate 1 and the arrangement pattern
of the cables 3a to 3j are fixed such that their positions on
opposing planes become mirror symmetric to each other. Therefore,
when the composite cable 2 is connected to a mounting substrate, it
is possible to easily and reliably connect wires without causing
false arrangement of the wires.
[0036] In the twist portion 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,
the cable groups 3A to 3C are twisted and crossed together. As will
be described later, the cables 3a to 3j are twisted and crossed
together in each of the cable groups 3A to 3C. The positional
relationship of the cables 3a to 3j on a cable end face S2
illustrated in FIG. 5 differs from the arrangement pattern 10
because of the twisting. The twist portion 22 improves the flexural
strength of the composite cable 2 due to the twisting of the cable
groups 3A to 3C.
[0037] The twist portion 22 is formed so as to be longer than the
longitudinal length of the position fixation portion 21. This is
done in order to increase the flexural strength due to the twisting
as much as possible. In the embodiment, it is sufficient that the
length of the position fixation portion 21 is long enough to
perform end-surface treatment to enable a connection to the
substrate, and the length is set to, for example, a few millimeters
or shorter. Furthermore, it is sufficient that the length of the
twist portion 22 is as long as or longer than a distance (a
connection distance) between devices connected by the composite
cable 2, and the length is set to, for example, the range from a
few centimeters to a few meters.
[0038] Each of the cable groups 3A to 3C will be explained below
with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram
illustrating the cable group 3A of the composite cable according to
the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the
cable group 3B (3C) of the composite cable according to the
embodiment.
[0039] In the cable group 3A, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the cables
3a to 3d are fixed so as to be parallel to one another in the
longitudinal direction of the composite cable 2 to correspond to a
position fixation portion 21a, and the four cables 3a to 3d are
twisted together to correspond to a twist portion 22a.
[0040] In the cable group 3B (3C), as illustrated in FIG. 8, the
cables 3e to 3g (3h to 3j) are fixed so as to be parallel to one
another in the longitudinal direction of the composite cable 2 to
correspond to the position fixation portion 21a, and the three
cables 3e to 3g (3h to 3j) are twisted together to correspond to
the twist portion 22a.
[0041] A method of manufacturing the composite cable 2 will be
explained below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. FIG. 9 is a
flowchart illustrating an overview of the method of manufacturing
the composite cable according to the embodiment of the present
invention. To manufacture the composite cable 2, an arrangement
pattern of the cables 3a to 3j is first formed with respect to the
cables 3a to 3j that are sequentially fed (Step S102).
Specifically, in a process of forming the arrangement pattern, the
position fixation portion 21 and the twist portion 22 are
alternately formed by using the cables 3a to 3j.
[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a
main part of an arrangement pattern forming apparatus that is used
in the process of forming the arrangement pattern and an overview
of a process of forming the position fixation portion 21. As
illustrated in FIG. 10, the arrangement pattern forming apparatus
includes ten rotators 41 in which the cables 3a to 3j are inserted
and held. The cables 3a to 3j are inserted into the respective
rotators 41 so as to be parallel to one another, and the rotators
41 are arranged at the same positions in the longitudinal
directions of the cables 3a to 3j. The four rotators 41, in which
the four cables 3a to 3d are respectively inserted, form a rotator
group 40a. An arrangement pattern of cable insertion portions of
the four rotators 41 of the rotator group 40a is the same as the
arrangement pattern of the cables on the cross-section
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable group 3A.
The three rotators 41, in which the three cables 3e to 3g are
respectively inserted, form a rotator group 40b. An arrangement
pattern of cable insertion portions of the three rotators 41 of the
rotator group 40b is the same as the arrangement pattern of the
cables on the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the cable group 3B. The three rotators 41, in which
the three cables 3h to 3j are respectively inserted, form a rotator
group 40c. An arrangement pattern of cable insertion portions of
the three rotators 41 of the rotator group 40c is the same as the
arrangement pattern of the cables on the cross-section
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable group
3C.
[0043] On the downstream side of the rotator group 40a in the
longitudinal direction (lower side in FIG. 10), a rotator 42a is
arranged to insert and hold the cable group 3A formed by the
rotator group 40a. On the downstream side of the rotator group 40b
in the longitudinal direction, a rotator 42b is arranged to insert
and hold the cable group 3B formed by the rotator group 40b. On the
downstream side of the rotator group 40c in the longitudinal
direction, a rotator 42c is arranged to insert and hold the cable
group 3C formed by the rotator group 40c.
[0044] The longitudinal central axes of the rotator group 40a and
the rotator 42a always match each other, and the rotator group 40a
is rotatable about the central axes. The longitudinal central axes
of the rotator group 40b and the rotator 42b always match each
other, and the rotator group 40b is rotatable about the central
axes. The longitudinal central axes of the rotator group 40c and
the rotator 42c always match each other, and the rotator group 40c
is rotatable about the central axes. The rotation directions of the
rotator groups 40a to 40c are the same.
[0045] The longitudinal central axes of the rotator group 40a and
the rotator 42a, the longitudinal central axes of the rotator group
40b and the rotator 42b, and the longitudinal central axes of the
rotator group 40c and the rotator 42c are parallel to one another
and pass through the same circumference on the plane perpendicular
to each of the longitudinal directions. The rotator groups 40a to
40c and the rotators 42a to 42c are rotatable about an axis that
passes through the center of the above-mentioned circumference and
that is parallel to the longitudinal directions. Hereinafter, this
rotation is referred to as revolution. The revolution direction is
the same as the rotation direction of the rotator groups 40a to 40c
described above.
[0046] The rotation of the rotator groups 40a to 40c and the
revolution of the rotator groups 40a to 40c and the rotators 42a to
42c as described above can be realized by appropriately using a
plurality of motors.
[0047] The arrangement pattern forming apparatus includes a feeding
mechanism (not illustrated) that feeds the cables 3a to 3j from the
upstream side in the longitudinal direction (upper side in FIG. 10)
to the downstream side in the longitudinal direction (lower side in
FIG. 10).
[0048] A process of forming the position fixation portion 21 by
using the arrangement pattern forming apparatus configured as above
will be explained below. To form the position fixation portion 21,
the rotators 41 and 42a to 42c are stand still, and the feeding
mechanism feeds the cables 3a to 3j from the upstream side to the
downstream side in the longitudinal direction so that the cables
are inserted into the corresponding rotators 41 and the rotators
42a to 42c. Thereafter, while the rotator groups 40a to 40c and the
rotators 42a to 42c are kept stand still, the feeding mechanism
feeds the cables 3a to 3j from the upstream side to the downstream
side in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined length.
Consequently, the position fixation portion 21 is formed.
[0049] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of a
process of forming the twist portion 22. To form the twist portion
22, the rotators 41 and 42a to 42c are stand still, and the feeding
mechanism feeds the cables 3a to 3j from the upstream side to the
downstream side in the longitudinal direction so that the cables
are inserted into the corresponding rotators 41 and the rotators
42a to 42c. Thereafter, while the rotator groups 40a to 40c are
rotated and the rotator groups 40a to 40c and the rotators 42a to
42c are revolved, the feeding mechanism feeds the cables 3a to 3j
from the upstream side to the downstream side in the longitudinal
direction by a predetermined length. Consequently, the cables 3a to
3j are twisted together in each of the cable groups 3A to 3C to
form the twist portion 22a, and the cable groups 3A to 3C with the
twisted cables are further twisted together to form the twist
portion 22.
[0050] By alternately repeating the process of forming the position
fixation portion 21 and the process of forming the twist portion 22
as described above, it is possible to alternately and sequentially
form a plurality of the position fixation portions 21 and a
plurality of the twist portions 22. The lengths of the position
fixation portion 21 and the twist portion 22 can be changed
appropriately by controlling the speed or time to feed the cables
3a to 3j.
[0051] When the position fixation portion 21 is formed, it is
possible to confirm stop positions of the rotator groups 40a to 40c
and the rotators 42a to 42c by using a detecting means, such as a
position sensor or a rotation sensor. For example, it may be
possible to confirm the stop positions of the rotator groups 40a to
40c and the rotators 42a to 42c by detecting rotation of a motor.
Alternatively, it may be possible to form the rotator groups 40a to
40c and the rotators 42a to 42c in different shapes and colors and
confirm the stop positions of the rotator groups 40a to 40c and the
rotators 42a to 42c by image recognition. With the use of the
detecting means, it is possible to more accurately maintain the
relative positions of cables.
[0052] Furthermore, the cables for forming the position fixation
portion 21 and the twist portion 22 may be fed at the same speed or
at the different speeds.
[0053] After the arrangement pattern of the cables 3a to 3j is
formed at Step S102, formation of the outer shield (Step S104) and
formation of the outer coat 20 (Step S106) are sequentially
performed. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview
of a process of forming an outer shield 23 and the outer coat 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, the twisted cable groups 3A to 3C are
sequentially fed downward in the drawing, and shields 23a are wound
around the outer peripheral surfaces of the twisted cable groups 3A
to 3C by each of rotators 44 of a rotator group 43, so that the
net-like outer shield 23 is formed.
[0054] Thereafter, the outer coat 20 is formed on the cable groups
3A to 3C on which the outer shield 23 is formed. The cable groups
3A to 3C on which the outer shield 23 is formed are fed to a
furnace 45. The furnace 45 contains an insulating resin material in
a dissolved state and the insulating resin material is applied to
the outer surface of the outer shield 23. The insulating resin
material that has passed through the furnace 45 is solidified by
the atmosphere on the outside and covers the outer shield 23 to
thereby serve as the outer coat 20.
[0055] After the outer coat 20 is formed, an indicator portion is
formed at a predetermined position on the outer coat 20 (Step
S108). FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of
forming the indicator portion. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the
composite cable 2 is sequentially fed downward in the drawing and a
paint M is applied as an indicator portion at a position
corresponding to the position fixation portion 21 on the composite
cable 2. On the outer coat 20 of the composite cable 2, stamps 46a
and 46b are pressed against the composite cable 2 so that the paint
M put on recesses 47a and 47b are transferred onto the outer coat
20 at the position corresponding to the position fixation portion
21. The recesses 47a and 47b are formed in the arc shape
corresponding to the surface of the outer coat 20.
[0056] According to the embodiment described above, a position
fixation portion, in which the arrangement pattern on the
cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is fixed
to be mirror symmetric to the arrangement pattern of the substrate,
and a twist portion, in which the cable groups and the cables are
twisted, are provided. Therefore, when the end face is connected to
the substrate, it is possible to connect them without interposing
an auxiliary member between the end face and the substrate, and it
is possible to ensure the flexural property of the composite cable
by the twist portion. Furthermore, the length of the composite
cable is adjustable by providing a plurality of the position
fixation portions. In this case, it is possible to easily adjust
the length by cutting a region coated with the paint M.
[0057] It may be possible to fill a gap between the outer coat 20
and each of the cables 3 with a fixing member or the like on the
cable end face S (S1) of the position fixation portion 21
illustrated in FIG. 1. As in a first modification illustrated in
FIG. 14, if a gap between the outer coat 20 and each of the cables
3 is filled with a fixing member 24, it becomes possible to further
fix the positions of the cables, enabling to prevent positional
deviation of the cables. As a result, it is possible to improve the
connectivity of the composite cable 2 with the substrate 1.
[0058] FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic diagram of a composite cable
according to a second modification of the embodiment of the present
invention. As in the second modification illustrated in FIG. 15, it
is possible to fix the outer periphery of the outer coat 20 of the
position fixation portion 21 with a fixing member 25. Because the
outer coat 20 is cured by the fixing member 25, it is possible to
improve the effect to fix the positions of the cables when a force
is applied from the outside.
[0059] The fixing members 24 and 25 described above are realized by
an adhesive agent, such as a thermosetting resin or an ultraviolet
curable resin, and at least an end face of the position fixation
portion 21 to be connected to the substrate 1 is fixed.
Furthermore, the fixing member 24 may be applied to the gap between
the outer coat 20 and each of the cables 3 in a portion
corresponding to the position fixation portion 21 after the cables
3 are cut, or may be applied when the outer shield 23 illustrated
in FIG. 12 is formed. When the fixing member 24 is applied after
the cables 3 are cut, it is more preferable that the outer coat 20
is fixed by the fixing member 25. It may also be possible to fix
the composite cable 2 by using both of the fixing members 24 and
25. It may also be possible to perform plating processing on the
cable end face S for protection after the fixing members 24 and/or
25 are filled or applied in order to prevent corrosion or the like
of the cable end face.
[0060] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composite
cable 2a according to a third modification of the embodiment of the
present invention. In the composite cable 2a illustrated in FIG.
16, paints M1 and M2 are applied to the outer coat 20 as indicator
portions indicating position fixation portions. The paints M1 and
M2 are formed with different materials and/or different colors. In
particular, the paint M2 in a linear shape along the longitudinal
direction of the composite cable 2a is applied at a predetermined
position so that the position of a predetermined cable can be
recognized and so that the effect to determine the position of the
composite cable with respect to the substrate can be obtained at
the time of connection. The indicator portions may be realized by a
concave-convex shape rather than the paint.
[0061] As in a fourth modification illustrated in FIG. 17, it is
possible to apply only the paint M2, as the indicator portion, to
the outer coat 20 of a composite cable 2b. Of course, as
illustrated in a fifth modification illustrated in FIG. 18, it is
possible to apply only the paint M1, as the indicator portion, to
the outer coat 20 of a composite cable 2c. According to the fourth
and the fifth modifications described above, it is possible to
achieve the same advantageous effects as those of the first
modification and it is also possible to reduce costs for the paint
and the operating process for application of the paint because only
one of the paints is used.
[0062] Regarding a region where the position fixation portion 21 is
formed, it is preferable that at least the length of the region in
the longitudinal direction of the composite cable is equal to or
longer than d1 that is the length needed to connect to the
substrate. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 19, it is
preferable that the length of the position fixation portion 21 is
d2 that is twice the length d1. When the length is d2, if a portion
with the length d1 from the end portion of the position fixation
portion 21 is cut, the length of each of the cut end portions of
the position fixation portion 21 becomes d1. Therefore, both of the
cut end portions can be connected to the substrate. In this case,
it may be possible to apply paint M3 in a linear shape as an
indicator portion for indicating a portion to be cut.
[0063] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
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